Communicable Disease Nurse (RN)

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is proud to be part of the provincial implementation of minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPRs), an initiative aimed at enhancing nursing practice and strengthening quality of care across the health system. mNPRs set the minimum number of nurses providing care to patients on a given unit. In British Columbia, mNPRs are developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU) and health organizations. Guided by our values: We Care for Everyone, We Are Always Learning and We Strive for Better Results, we remain committed to fostering quality practice and learning environments where nurses can grow and thrive.

The salary range for this position is CAD $41.42/Hr. - CAD $55.91/Hr.

 

Practices in accordance with established standards as outline by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses, as well as within the VCH vision and values, polices, standard and working within the context of a Public Health model, the Communicable Disease (CD) Nurse works as part of a interdisciplinary team to provide public health follow-up of cases, contacts and outbreaks of all reportable communicable diseases (CDs) and Sexually Transmitted/Blood-Borne Infections (STBBIs) including emerging pathogens. Follow up actions include screening and assessment, investigation, prevention, surveillance, education, counselling and implementation of an action plan in a variety of settings including outreach services to vulnerable/marginalized clients.Collaborates with Medical Health Officers (MHO’s) and other health care providers in the management and control of CDs and STBBIs, as well as, responding to public inquiries about immunization and general communicable disease questions. Liaises with community partners and other programs within and outside of VCH, provides referrals to primary care services, harm reduction education, counseling and support from a nursing perspective on issues relating to communicable disease. Provides CD and STBBI prevention including referrals, administration and access to appropriate chemo/immuno prophylaxis, as directed by an MHO.This work is framed within VCH’s commitments to our pillars of Indigenous Cultural Safety, Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Planetary Health.

• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse (RN) with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Successful completion of the BCCDC Immunization Competency Course and current BCCNM STI Certification in Reproductive Health.
• Two (2) years' recent related clinical experience providing communicable disease/outreach services within a public health setting for clients at risk or living with reportable communicable diseases including the ability to provide STI diagnosis, testing and treatment, training in Partner Counselling and Referral Services (PCRS) and completion of the VCH Point of Care Workshop, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid BC Driver's License and access to a personal vehicle for business-related purposes, as required.

• Broad knowledge of BCCNM Standards for Practice for Nursing Practice.
• Broad knowledge of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases/disease conditions and immunization.
• Broad knowledge of nursing theory and practice within a client-centered approach.
• Knowledge of community development and health promotion principles and practices.
• Broad knowledge of nursing theory and practice within a public health model.
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, STI, communicable disease and infection control principles and practices.
• Demonstrated skill in phlebotomy.
• Demonstrated certified skills and ability to assess, diagnose and treat applicable STI's.
• Broad knowledge of harm reduction, mental health, substance use, addictions, trauma informed approaches and Indigenous cultural safety to client care.
• Broad knowledge of other conditions treated in primary care settings including chronic diseases, infectious diseases (e.g., hepatitis, HIV/AIDs), wound care and infections.
• Broad knowledge of public health reportable disease and follow-up requirements.
• Broad knowledge of other facilities/agencies and community resources.
• General knowledge of Trauma Informed Practice and Harm Reduction approaches and Strengths-based care.
• Demonstrated ability to promote Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Demonstrated ability to provide competent and culturally safe care in a variety of settings and with diverse populations.
• Broad knowledge of facilitation, mediation and conflict resolution techniques, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with clients and their families, colleagues, physicians and other health care providers.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a culturally diverse population.
• Demonstrated ability to manage aggressive and suicidal behavior.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, take initiative, be flexible and work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events and respond to communicable disease outbreak situations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and problem solve in pressure situations.
• Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques.
• Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

 

 

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes.As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.